Mark D’Onofrio

Al Groh lured Mark D’Onofrio from Rutgers to help improve UVa’s recruiting presence in talent-rich New Jersey. The 34-year-old assistant coach already has paid dividends in that respect. At the same time, he is making an immediate impact on his on-field area of expertise: special teams.

“I’m impressed with the way we’ve practiced,” Groh said. “[Practices] are highly organized, very purposeful and very detailed-oriented. In the meetings the instruction has been clear and very precise, so I’m very impressed.”

Each element of special teams play is broken down to the micro level. From the interior wall of the kick-return coverage, to the outside gunners on punt coverage, to the center-holder-kicker operation, every component is practiced and coached under the watchful eye of D’Onofrio.

...